Electric-circuit protector



(No Model.)

W. B. HARVEY.

ELECTRIC CIRCUIT PROTECTOR.

No. 399,400. Patented Mar. 12, 1889.

NllTED EiTATES PATENT Orricn.

\VIRT BROWER HARVEY, OF MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE.

ELECTRlC-CIRCUIT PROTECTOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 399,400, dated March 12, 1889.

Application tiled Felnnsry Z8, 1888- $eria1 Ito/265,644. (No model.)

T0 (1/! 1.0710712 1'! may concern/.-

VEY, a citizen of the Fnited States, residing at Memphis, in the county of Shelby and State of Tennessee, have made a new and useful 1 invention in Apparatus :for Protecting 'lele graphic and other Electrical Circuits, of which tern, driven either by weight or a spring, or, as shown, said clock mechanism with the en-.

the following is a specification.

My invention relates partitiularlv to that class of devices designed to secure continuity 1 of circuit on telegraph and analogous electric 1 lines which run through several stations where individual operators are located, who, through carelessness, often leave their transn'iittingkeys open; and its object to overcome this annoyance, and also to break any local earth at any of a series of stations, or, in other words, to so operate as to automatically preserve a continuity of circuit either through the station where a he is open or to break an earth-eirciilit left on through neglect, there by avoiding all possibility of acm'iovance due to a broken or earthed line when these accidents happen through the carelessness of operators. 1 accomplish these objects by the use of the mechanism hcreinai't er described, but particularly pointed out in the claims which follow this specification.

My invention will be fully understood by referring to the accompanying d rawi ngs which illustrate it, and in which Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4. are side elevational views of parts of my automatic switch. mechanism, showing these parts in different positions. Fig. is a side elevation of an a 'iparatus used in connection with the automatic switch apparatus to indii cate when the driving mechanism is nearly 3 or quite run down. l ig. o is a side elevation of the electro-maguct ic apparatus and connec tions which control the action of the switch mechanism. 7 is a similar view showing in addition the switch mechanism controlled thereby. h is a plan view of the appa ratns entire, adapted for use on an telegraph or analogous line. Fig. El shows a Morse line and instruments with three stations and the apparatus shown in Fir. h in operative position at the middle station only. in Figs. 1

l at end stations, while Figs. 3 and i show the additional feature of each circuit switch mechanism to avoid the trouble due to a local ground or earth, as will be fully explained in the description of the operation of my improved ammratus.

N is a clock mechanism of well-known pattire switch-comiections being affixed to a base, ll, similar to those used in ordinary relay-instruments, and provided with binding-posts G G, K K, and S S. This clock mechanism operates a shaft, cc, carrying a ratchet-wheel,

P, adapted to rotate in the direction of the arrow shown in Figs. (3 and T.

a is a notched drum or disk carried by a shaft pivoted or j ourha-led in two supports on the base H, and ha ing a weighted arm, Y, adapted to rotate it to the left, as seen at Fig". 7.

on is a conducting, switch-arm connected by a flat spring at one end. to the upright conducting-post o in electrical contact with the metal base of the instrument, its free end being ')rovided with a s1 fine-contact adapted to make and break contact with the metal post 1', insulated from the metal base. This post c is connected by a wire to toe bindingpost l( on the wooden portions of the base, and it in turn is connected to the key T by wire i". (See Fig. U.) The post l\'. is (,l( fll'l(2lll connected to the metal base, and hence to the metal post (I. This post is also connected to the back-stop of the kc at by wire F. (See Fig. 9.) V

r and 5' are two spring-s, which are adapted to contact with each other when theinsulated pin f, carried by the arm in, is lifted, as shown in Fig. 3, and to break said contact when the pin is in its lower position, as shown in Fig. -l-. The spring 1' is (.dccti-icallv COlllltCtQtl with the binding-post G, which in turn isconnected J, (see Fig. 5,)

by wire E to the earth-plug of switch-bmrd M, while is similarly connected to binding post G and to the earth at E by wire 1?". The binding-post K is also connected by a wire.

to an lnsulated spring, 1',

and 2 the switch apparatus is adapted for use adapted to contact with the cloclespring 21' LIX when run down, and it in' turn is connected" by a wire, J, to the metal base of the instrument, the function of this device being to shunt the operators key T when the clock has run down, and thereby prevent the operator from operating it till the clock mechanism is again wound up.

g is an electro-magnet connected in a derived circuit or shunt from the sounder-battery D, and adapted to hold its armature g in the position shown in Fig. 7 so long as the main-line circuit is closed. This armature has a rctractile spring, provided with the usual adjustment, and is adapted when drawn down by the magnet g to lift the free end'of the pawl-lever a, pivoted to the arm y, borne by the shaft which carries the weighted lever y.

The lever has a pawl or hook, it, adapted to i take in the ratchet-teeth of wheel 17 as it ro- 1 tates to the right. (See Fig. U.)

V is an adj ustment-scrcw for regulating the throw of levers Y Y I Q is ahand-lever for lifting the switch-lever m and allowing the weighted lever 'g to rotate disk a, and thereby remove the notched portion from beneath the projecting pin, as.

shown in Figs. 1 and 23.

Fig. 9 shows a three-station Morse line with my improved automatic switching mechanism in operative connection at the middle station, B, M being the main line, B B the main batteries, and'l) DD the lecal batteries, each station having the'usual lllorse keys, sounders, and switclrboard connections. In this figure I will suppose that the main circuit from main batteries B B is in normal condition passing through all of the keys and relays at the several stations. I will therefore describe the operation of my improved apparatus under all. the conditions which are usually liable to occur.

As shown, all of the operators are in condition to interchange signals. First, suppose operator at station B to have left his key open. In consequence there is no current on the line and all the relay-armatures will be on their back-stops; hence all of the sounder-magnet circuits will be broken.

Inasmuch as the switch apparatus at station B is controlled by a derived circuit from the local battery, the circuit of magnet Q will be broken and its armature will be in the position shown in Fig. (3, thereby allowing the pawl or hook it to take behin d one of the teeth of wheel P. The notch e of disk 0 being normally in the position shown in Fig. 1 or 3, the pin a of the contact-lever m rides upon the face of said disk, and the circuit between 0 and m is broken. After a predetermined time the clock mechanism, continuing its action through wheel 13, pawl u, and levers 0c and y upon the shaft which carries notched disk a and weighted lever '1 causes said disk to assume the position shown in Fig. '7, thereby allowingthe pin n on lever m to fall into the notch e of said disk and the free end of lever on to come into electrical contactwvith the metal post (a The main-line current is thenclosed through the relays at the distant station, and also through that of station 13, as'follows, (see Fig. 9:) entering from station A by switchboard U to plug connected'to key T at if, thence by wire to binding-post K, thence by wire (not shown) to insulated post 0 and free end of lever 77]. resting thereon, through said lever to post (2 and metal base to binding-post K by wire, (not shown,) thence by wire i" to lower back contact of key T through wire shown in dotted lines, through relay R, and finally to plug and switch-board U and out to station (3. This energizes relay R and closes the local circuit of sounder-battery D through both the sounder-magnet and the protector-magnet g, thereby restorin the parts to the position shown in Fig. 7. The opcrater at station B cannot operate his key now eifcctively until he has released the weighted lever 11 and broken circuit between. 0 and m, which can be done by turning the thumb-lever *Q to the left against the tension of spring thereby lifting lever m. and releasing disk a, which rotates to the position shown in Figs. 1 and 3. Now suppose the operator at station B has left his ground-switch on, as shown by the plug at the upper right-hand side of the switch board. Under this supposition station (l is cut off from both A and B, and only A and B can c('nnmunieatc, station U be ing earthcd around the relay of station B by earth-wire E, all the keys now being closed. This earth-circuit from station C is as follows: from main line to switch-board U and plug by earth-wire E to binding-post G, insulated from the frame; thence by wire (not shown) to spring-contacts '2' and both insulated from the frame; thence by wire (not shown) to binding-post G, insulated from the frame, and finally to earth by'wire i The circuit from that portion of main battery iat station A now actuates the relays R at stations A and B, so that the operators located at these stations can interchange sign als to the exclusion of the operator at station 0. A desires to call (J, he cannot do it, and should the operator at B be out A can only await his return, should the line be unprovided with any apparatus for breaking the earth at B automatically. )Yith my apparatus the operator at A simply leaves his key open. This breaks the circuit through relay R at station B, as before, and demagnetizcs magnet g of the circuit-interrupter, thus allowing the clock mechanism to advance the notched disk a. as before until the pin n drops in notch c. When this occurs, the free end of lever in, carrying the insulated pin f, drops, and the latter bears upon spring 3 breaking circuit between it and 1'. (See Fig. i.) The earth is nowbroken at station B, and both main-line batteries B B are in circuit between stations A, B, and C and all the relays in action. On returning to his office the operator at B cannot operate his If now station IIO key T to call stations A and B, because it is shunted through the circuit shifter or protector, as before explained. He will then take hold of lever Q and restore lever m to its normal position, at the same time winding the clock mechanism up by a keyin the usual mannor should it be run down. Should the clock mechanism be run down, his-key will also be shunted through binding-post K, wire J, fiat spring 7*, clock-spring V, (see Fig. 5,) wire J, metal frame of ii'istrument, and binding-post K.

I am aware that it is old to provide automatic switches for closing the circuit at the key after an operator has ceased to transmit a message, and'I therefore make no claim to this feature, broadly; but

\Vhat I do claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is

1. A circuit-protector for telegraphic and analogous electrical circuits, consisting of a clock mechanism, in combination with an electro-magnet controlling its operation and a normally-open shunt around the key, including in its circuit a switch controlled by said clock mechanism, as described, whereby the key will be automatically shunted when the main line is left open at any point, substantially as described.

2. A circuit protector for telegraphic or analogous circuits, consisting of a normallyopen shunt connected to the front and back contacts of the operators key, in combination with a clock mechanism having a switch mechanism for closing said shunt when set in motion, said clock mechanism being held out of action by an clectro-i'nagnct so long as the line remains closed, substantially as described.

3. A circuit-protector for telegraphic and analogous circuits, consisting of a normallyopen shunt around the point to be protected, with switch mechanism for closingthe shunt, and a clock mechanism held out of action with the switch for controlling the operation of the switch mechanism, substantially as described.

-l-. A circuit-protector for keeping a circuit closed at a given point, consisting of a normally-open shunt around the point to be protected, i n combination with aswit ch connected to a mechanical motor for operating it, and an electro-inagnet for connecting said motor with the switch and permitting the switch to automatically close the shunt, said electromagnet being under the control of the operator at both the home and distant stations, substantially as described.

5. A circuit-protector for keeping a telegraphic or analogous circuit closed at a given point, consisting of a normally-open shunt around the point to be protected, in combination with a switch for closing the shunt and an electro-magnet under the control of the main-line current for regulating the operation of the switch, substantially as described.

6. A eircuit-protector forbreaking an earthcircuit in a telegraphic or analogous circuit, consisting of an earth-wire having a circuitbreaker normally closed between the switchboard and the earth, in combination with a mechanical motor for breaking said earthwire atsaid point and an electro-magnet for connecting said motor with the switch when (lo-energized, whereby when the line is grounded by an operator at a station said ground will after a predetermined time be automatically broken, substantially as described.

7. A cireuit-protector l'or telegraphic or analogous circuits, consisting of a normallyopen shunt around the point to be protected, in combination with a switch for closing said shunt, a motor for operating said switch, and an electro-ma-gnet for holding said motor normally out of operative connection with the switch, whereby, when the circuit is left open at the point to be protected for a predetermined time, said shunt will be automatically closed and the main circuit maintained intact, substantially as described.

8. A circuit-protector for telegraphic or analogous circuits, consisting of the following eon'ibination of parts: a normally-open shunt around the point to be protected, a switch for closing said shunt, a springimpelled motor for actuating said switch, an electro-magnet for holding said motor out of operative connection with the switch, and a second normally-open shunt about the same point, said second shunt being open at a point between a fixed contact-point and the spring which impelsthe motor, substantially as described.

9. A circuit-protector for telegraphic or analogous circuits, consisting of a normallyopen shunt about the point to be protected, in combination with a spring-impelled motor and an elcctro-magnet holding said motor out of opcrat ive connection with the switch, said shunt, when closed, including in its circuit a fixed point and the spring of the motor, the parts being arranged as shown, so that when the motor wound up the shunt is open, and when run down it is closed, substantially as described.

10. A protector t'or telegraphic or analogous circuits, consistingoi' a shunt about the point to be protected, said shunt being open when the circuit is closed through said point, in combination with a switch for closing said shunt, a mechanical motor for actuating said switch, and an electro-magnet located in a derived circuit from the sounder or local battery for holding said motor out of action with the switch, whereby, after the main circuit has remained open a predetermined time, the shunt is auto matieally closed about said point, substantially as described.

11. A circuit-protector for telegraphic or analogous circuits, consisting of a normallyopen shunt around the point to be protected, in combination with a switch and spring-impelled motor for closing said shunt, and a second shunt normally open between the spring of the motor and a fixed point, with an until the motor is Wound up,subst:mtia1iy as ()16Ci'11O*I11&gl16b for holding said motor out of described. operative connection with the switch Where- 4 r 1 1 r by the point to be protected is shunted by 1R1 LROVILR HARVEY 5 the first shunt after the circuit has been- \Vitnesses:

left open a predetermined time and again S. W. HARVEY, permanently shunted by the second shunt R. P. CARY. 

